Two South Carolina TV Journalists Died in the Line of Duty

South Carolina WYFF News Station Employees, Mike McCormick, an anchor and Aaron Smeltzer, a photojournalist died on Monday, May 28, 2018, when a tree fell on their SUV.

The journalists on their way to an assignment were killed when a large tree crushed their car. Mike McCormick and Aaron Smeltzer were covering the weather on Highway 176 in North Caroline, WYFF reported.

The police officers responded to the scene at 2:30 p.m. in Polk County and found the vehicle was still running, authorities said.

Subtropical Storm Alberto has caused heavy rains in North Carolina with threats of landslides and flooding.

States such as Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama have issued emergency preparations ahead of the storm.

McCormick joined the station in 2007 and was later promoted to anchor the Sunday evening newscasts.

Smeltzer was a news veteran who joined WYFF's Spartanburg bureau in February.